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India’s ports recorded a decline in export-import cargo volumes in April as escalating tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz weighed on shipments of crude oil, coal and fertilisers.
Data from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways showed that combined overseas cargo handled at major and non-major ports fell nearly 2 per cent year-on-year during the month. The slowdown extended a trend that began after the outbreak of the Israel-Iran conflict earlier this year, which has unsettled maritime trade flows across the region. The impact was most visible in energy-linked cargoes. Indian ports continued to report lower volumes of crude oil and petroleum products, reflecting the country’s heavy dependence on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz for energy imports. Fertiliser and coal movements were also affected amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to vessel movement in the region.
Several ports on India’s western coastline registered weaker overseas cargo activity during the month. Deendayal Port Authority at Kandla, one of the country’s largest cargo gateways, posted an 11 per cent fall in international cargo volumes. Ports including Cochin, New Mangalore, Paradip and Kolkata also reported declines in exim traffic.
The Gujarat Maritime Board, which oversees major private ports such as Mundra and Pipavav along with refinery-linked captive terminals, handled about 32 million tonnes of cargo in April, down 2 per cent from the same period last year.
In contrast, Maharashtra-based Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Mumbai Port recorded strong growth in cargo handling, processing more than 15 million tonnes collectively. JNPA has emerged as a critical hub for cargo linked to West Asia, resulting in congestion pressures in recent weeks.
To address operational bottlenecks, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently reviewed congestion issues at JNPA, particularly shortages of trailer drivers at container freight stations. Authorities subsequently announced temporary waivers on certain railway handling and transport-related charges to ease pressure on exporters and importers.
Despite the weakness in overseas trade, domestic coastal cargo provided some support to overall port activity. Major ports reported a 17 per cent rise in coastal cargo volumes in April, while non-major ports posted a 6 per cent increase, helping cushion the broader decline in maritime trade.
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India’s ports recorded a decline in export-import cargo volumes in April as escalating tensions in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz weighed on shipments of crude oil, coal and fertilisers. Data from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways showed that combined overseas cargo handled at major and non-major ports fell nearly 2 per cent year-on-year during the month. The slowdown extended a trend that began after the outbreak of the Israel-Iran conflict earlier this year, which has unsettled maritime trade flows across the region. The impact was most visible in energy-linked cargoes. Indian ports continued to report lower volumes of crude oil and petroleum products, reflecting the country’s heavy dependence on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz for energy imports. Fertiliser and coal movements were also affected amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions to vessel movement in the region. Several ports on India’s western coastline registered weaker overseas cargo activity during the month. Deendayal Port Authority at Kandla, one of the country’s largest cargo gateways, posted an 11 per cent fall in international cargo volumes. Ports including Cochin, New Mangalore, Paradip and Kolkata also reported declines in exim traffic. The Gujarat Maritime Board, which oversees major private ports such as Mundra and Pipavav along with refinery-linked captive terminals, handled about 32 million tonnes of cargo in April, down 2 per cent from the same period last year. In contrast, Maharashtra-based Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Mumbai Port recorded strong growth in cargo handling, processing more than 15 million tonnes collectively. JNPA has emerged as a critical hub for cargo linked to West Asia, resulting in congestion pressures in recent weeks. To address operational bottlenecks, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently reviewed congestion issues at JNPA, particularly shortages of trailer drivers at container freight stations. Authorities subsequently announced temporary waivers on certain railway handling and transport-related charges to ease pressure on exporters and importers. Despite the weakness in overseas trade, domestic coastal cargo provided some support to overall port activity. Major ports reported a 17 per cent rise in coastal cargo volumes in April, while non-major ports posted a 6 per cent increase, helping cushion the broader decline in maritime trade. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Gujarat is moving to deepen its economic and maritime partnership with Russia’s Astrakhan region, with both sides identifying trade, shipbuilding, logistics and transport connectivity as key areas for future cooperation. The discussions took place during a virtual meeting between Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Astrakhan Governor Igor Babushkin earlier this week. Officials from both sides reviewed existing agreements and explored opportunities linked to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a strategic trade route designed to improve cargo movement between India, Russia and Central Asia. According to officials familiar with the discussions, Gujarat expressed willingness to collaborate in transport and logistics infrastructure tied to the INSTC framework, while also highlighting investment opportunities in the state’s shipbuilding ecosystem. The talks additionally covered cooperation in education, industrial partnerships and maritime training. The renewed engagement comes as India continues to strengthen multimodal trade connectivity with Eurasian markets amid evolving global supply chain patterns. Astrakhan, located along the Caspian Sea, is considered a critical node in the INSTC network due to its access to inland waterways and overland freight routes connecting Russia with Iran and India. Industry observers say Gujarat’s strategic port infrastructure, manufacturing base and expanding logistics network position the state as a natural gateway for future INSTC-linked cargo flows. Ports such as Kandla, Mundra and Pipavav already handle a significant share of India’s maritime trade and are witnessing ongoing investments in cargo handling, shipbuilding and green logistics infrastructure. The partnership between Gujarat and Astrakhan is not new. A bilateral protocol agreement signed in 2001 remains valid until November 2026 and has served as the foundation for cooperation across sectors including energy, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, fisheries and education. During the latest interaction, both sides also revisited earlier discussions on investments in Astrakhan’s special economic zone and potential academic partnerships involving maritime, agricultural and medical institutions. Officials indicated that cultural exchanges and reciprocal business delegations may also be expanded in the coming months. The push for closer coordination reflects a broader effort by Indian states and Russian regions to establish more direct trade channels as geopolitical shifts reshape global shipping and logistics strategies. For Gujarat, stronger engagement with Astrakhan could support long-term ambitions to emerge as a larger shipbuilding and multimodal logistics hub within India’s western maritime corridor. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
India is preparing to send oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz to secure fresh crude cargoes from Middle Eastern suppliers, marking its first major attempt to restore direct energy flows through the strategic waterway since the regional conflict disrupted shipping operations. According to officials familiar with the development, the operational plan has already been finalized, with tanker movement expected to begin after the government issues formal clearance. The decision reflects New Delhi’s effort to stabilize fuel supplies and avoid higher transportation costs tied to alternative sourcing routes. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime trade corridors, handling a substantial share of global crude exports. Since the escalation of tensions involving Iran earlier this year, commercial shipping activity in the region has slowed sharply, creating uncertainty for energy-importing nations heavily dependent on Gulf producers. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, continues to rely significantly on crude supplies from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait and the UAE. Industry estimates suggest a major portion of India’s daily crude imports typically passes through Hormuz, making any prolonged disruption a direct threat to refining operations, fuel prices and shipping costs. To support the renewed movement of tankers, the Indian Navy has reportedly expanded its deployment in the region. Additional warships and surveillance assets have been positioned near key shipping lanes, while naval escorts are being provided to Indian-linked vessels once they clear sensitive transit zones. The government has also strengthened maritime risk-management measures. A new insurance support mechanism has been introduced to ensure uninterrupted coverage for Indian ships and cargoes operating in high-risk waters, including the Gulf region. Although India has increased purchases from Russia and other suppliers over recent months, officials remain concerned about logistical delays, elevated freight costs and sanctions-related complications associated with non-Gulf crude. Importing larger volumes from distant markets would lengthen voyage times and add pressure to domestic fuel economics. The disruption has already forced several Asian economies to redraw supply-chain strategies, reroute vessels and seek alternative energy cargoes. Analysts warn that prolonged instability in the Gulf could continue to tighten tanker availability, inflate marine insurance premiums and increase volatility across global oil markets. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
